“Medical findings from international aquariums are raising serious questions about Ontario’s animal welfare oversight.” – Niagara Falls NDP MPP Wayne Gates
News from the Constistuency Office of Niagara Falls NDP MPP Wayne Gates who provincial riding includes Niagara Falls, Niagara-on-tne-Lake and Fort Erie
Posted October 21st. 2026 on Niagara At Large
One of another of the 30 beluga whales from Marineland in Niagara Falls, Ontario recently heads off to aquariums in the United States and Spain.
NIAGARA FALLS – MPP Wayne Gates (Niagara Falls) renewed his call in a letter (https://mcusercontent.com/353019c4e982ae7eb8ea53150/files/b35d3be3-d37e-5c94-c53a-4759ed0a495d/2026_10_20_Letter_to_Ford_Marineland_.docx.pdf) to Minister Kerzner for an investigation into the well-being of Marineland’s animals, following the death of another beluga whale this week.
Gates called for an investigation in July, but the Ford government has refused to act, explain what inspectors knew, and account for the potential lack of oversight from the Ministry:
“The new reports about another whale death after being transferred from Marineland are highly disturbing, bringing the total to seven whales and dolphins. Unfortunately, the only medical findings about these animals have been publicly released by international aquariums, while the Solicitor General continues to withhold the findings of its own animal welfare investigations.
“We’ve been working hard with private operators and the community to re-purpose the Marineland site in a way that benefits Niagara Falls’ vibrant tourism industry, and the countless people who benefit from it, such as visitors, locals, and workers alike. It is a disgrace that we are learning about serious, longstanding medical conditions from veterinarians outside Ontario, rather than the province responsible for overseeing their care.
“The Ministry conducted hundreds of inspections, issued dozens of compliance orders, and repeatedly assured the public these animals were being properly cared for, so how did this happen and why is the Ministry still refusing to release their inspections?”
For a recent CBC report on the death of beluga whales and dolphins transferred from Marineland, click on – https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/marineland-beluga-whale-dies-seaworld-san-diego-9.7386294
Watch the following CTC report by clicking on the screen immediately below –
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“A Politician Thinks Of The Next Election. A Leader Thinks Of The Next Generation.” – Bernie Sanders –
I stood at those gates on Stanley Avenue on & off since the late 80’s; organizing demos, speaking to the media, talking and writing about it, brought in speakers and dealt with over-zealous police and city council. I am tired and old and the outcome is bitter. One of those cases where, whatever happened, it wasn’t going to be good. Marineland threatening to kill them all. And now, other places only marginally better, had a hand in killing them with their supposed kindess or care. The moral of the story is stop keeping animals in captivity. We can go on ad nauseum how terrible the outcome was …but in truth, there was no way out for those animals. Not all (as I understand it) but some ‘facilities’ will go on to breed the living and so the next generation will be robbed of their ancestral rights. They’ll be spinning in endless circles until the footsteps thru the turnstiles stop. The folks that want a distraction, a laugh, want to be in awe – they will leave an hour or two later and those animals will still be spinning in the pools. And the terrestrial animals – ohhhh, sweet jesus; a few lucky ones I do know will have some semblance of a life – some bears further north in a sanctuary and a few more further south. What of the others who have come and gone since that living curio cabinet opened and those that remained at the demise of ‘Marineland’. The seals, sea lions, the buffalo, the penguins, the deer, the elk, guinea fowl. Weren’t there peacocks too at one time? I suppose the only silver lining is that no more animals will suffer and die there – it is the only grace I cling to.
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